Cooling towers and evaporative condensers

In recent years there have been a number of outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease associated with wet cooling systems (cooling towers and evaporative condensers) which have often resulted in serious cases of infection and fatalities.

Such outbreaks give rise to considerable public concern and have significant resource implications.

It has frequently been found that poor maintenance of such plant and poor compliance with the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (see external link & download on this page) and the Approved Code of Practice on the control of legionella bacteria in water systems, give rise to the potential conditions in which outbreaks can and do occur.

It is because these wet cooling systems, if not properly maintained, pose the most serious risk that the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 were introduced. The regulations require a person who has, to any extent, control of non-domestic premises to ensure that no notifiable device is situated on the premises unless details of the device have been notified in writing to the Local Authority in whose area the premises are situated. Any changes to any information that has already been notified must be notified within one month after their occurrence. Similarly, where a device ceases to be, and is no longer intended to remain, a notifiable device that fact must be notified to the local authority concerned as soon as reasonably practicable after the cessation.

“notifiable device” means cooling tower or an evaporative condenser except –
a) where is contains no water that is exposed to air
b) where its water supply is not connected
c) where its electrical supply is not connected

The principle purpose for this notification process is to identify where potential sources of risk are located and allow for efficient identification of possible sources in the event of an outbreak.

How to apply

Apply Online to make a new notification or notify a change of details.

To inform us of a notifiable device please notify us using the details at the top of this page.

Please Note: if you wish to include a plan with your notification, this should be posted to the address provided on this web page.

If you wish to view details of the premises that have registered with this authority you can use the following link:

http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/business-investment/check-licences-in-doncaster

Useful links

If you wish, you can download and view a full version of The Notification of Cooling Towers and evaporative Condenses Regulations 1992 using the link below:
Cooling Towers